Cordless Phones

Cordless Phones

Cordless phones have almost replaced corded phones in most U.S. homes.  And with the advent of newer 2.4 GHz technologies, cordless

 phones have been transformed into phone systems whereby a single base station can support multiple handsets - and improved the quality of the transmission.  These capabilities have made cordless phones even more viable for the home based business. 

However, because cordless phones integrate just a bit more 'technical' complexity, there are a number of things to think about before you choose your cordless phone system.

• The Radio Frequency the handset uses to communicate to the base:  The radio frequency that the handset uses to communicate to the base station effects three areas - one is sound quality, a second is how far away from the base station you can be and still communicate - the range, the third is the security of your conversation. 
  • The original cordless phones used radio frequencies in the 43-50 MHz range.  They suffered from a lot of interference from appliances and walls and were very limited in range (approximate maximum ranges of 1,000 feet) and the  number of transmission channels (10 to 25).  Additionally, because the transmission was over such a low frequency, cheap radio scanners and even baby monitors can pick up their transmission! 
  • The next generation of cordless phones used frequencies in the 900 MHz band, improved sound quality,  range and transmission channels as well (5,000 to 7,000 feet - 20 to 60 channels).  Security however, remained a problem with scanners and other devices still able to easily "tap into" calls.
  • The third generation uses the 2.4 GHz band and in addition to even better sound quality (almost like you're not cordless at all!), even greater range, the much higher number of transmission channels (50 to 100 allowed cordless phone makers to add the option of multiple handsets to their products.  Additionally, 2.4 GHz are much more secure as most radio scanners cannot operate at a frequency this high.

    Web Home Office Reports

  • 5.8GHz phones offer improved sound quality, increased range and even greater security.
  • The latest innovation in cordless phone frequencies is DECT 6.0 1.9GHz technology.  Delivers even better sound quality, greater range and number of channels and improved security for your conversations.  DECT 6.0 phones can also include IP voice capabilities.
• Analog or Digital: 
  • Analog cordless phones, just as in any analog transmission, often experience noise, interference and just plain lousy sound quality.
  • Digital phones are much cleaner and, using DSS (digital spread spectrum), your conversation is "secured".  DSS "spreads" your conversation over multiple frequencies making it almost impossible to "tap" your conversation (that is unless you want to spend big $$'s on VERY sophisticated equipment!).
• The Battery:  It may sound like a "simple" thing, but the type of battery your cordless phone uses MATTERS!  Basically, there are three battery types:
  • Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cad) - "old reliables" in the re-chargeable battery world.  They have, however, relatively low capacity and are best suited for equipment that is "high drain" like power tools.
  • Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMh) - don't have Cadmium so they're a bit better for "Mother Earth" and, offer 15 to 25% more capacity than Nickel Cadmium batteries.
  • Lithium Ion (Li Ion) - the latest and greatest.  40% more capacity than NiCads, but more expensive too!

And of course, you'll also need to think about those "basic phone" functions....

• Does the phone support the local telephone features you've ordered from your local voice carrier?
  • Caller ID
  • 3 Way Calling
• Does it have a speakerphone?  A speakerphone can be very handy when you're on one of those long, boring conference calls.  Just hang up the handset, put the phone on mute and do your email!
• Does it support more than a single line?  You never know, as your business grows, you might need more than one line, and having a phone ready can be a time saver.
• Does the phone support redial and/or busy redial?  Real time savers when you're trying to reach a number that is constantly busy (like customer support for some of the vendors listed on this web site!).
• Is it durable?  Cheap isn't always better.  Home offices tend to attract accidents - dropping, spilling, you name it.  Make sure your phone can stand up to you or you'll just be back at the store (or web site) buying another one.
• If you must have an answering machine (against our advice) - does it integrate a good one?  If you are totally against using the services of your local telephone company for voice mail and just have to have an answering machine - make sure it's one that you want your customers to use.

That's about it!  Let's take a look at the 'cordless' phone options that are available to you.  Detailed information is available in our product matrix at Cordless Phones.

Cordless Phone Review

"Cordless" Telephones"*

(Rankings - best, 5 symbols, worst, 1 symbol)

* A = Amateur, R = Rookie, P = Pro

AT&T

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹¹

Goodness!  Who can't use the telephone?  All the AT&T phones are simple to use - even the ones you can "program" to speed dial, set the time, your answering machine or accept, erase or log Caller ID.

Cost - $$$$

AT&T makes eight 2.4GHz phones from $24.95 to $89.95 and twenty-two 5.8GHz phones from $24.95 to $199.95. (AT&T web pricing).  Their phones are priced competitively based on feature/function.  For detailed information see our product matrix Cordless Phones.

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹¹

O.k., it's a telephone.  Please tell me how you'll do business without one?

Ease of Use - @@@@@

You've probably been using telephones since, well, since before you can even remember!  The cordless ones are even more useful!

Works With - YYYYY

Hard to make an incompatible telephone!

Support - pppp

AT&T telephones carry a one year warranty.  The tech support area on the AT&T web site includes a FAQ and manuals.  If you need more help, you can email tech support or call them on their "800" number Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 7 PM Central time.

Features - iiii

AT&T makes good cordless phones with some "nice" extras like programmable ringers and "extra" mailboxes (usually 3) on the answering systems.  2.4GHz and 5.8GHz "systems" accommodate from 4 to 8 handsets. 

Overall Rating - %%%%

Hard to go wrong buying a phone from the company that made them from the start, but a larger selection of multi-line phones would be a plus. 

Coby

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹¹

Goodness!  Who can't use the telephone?  All the Coby telephones are simple to use - even the ones you can "program" to speed dial, set the time, or accept, erase or log Caller ID.

Cost - $$$$

Coby makes eight 2.4GHz phones at prices from $23.09 to $59.99 (including one with an alarm clock, AM/FM radio and CD player) and two 5.8GHz phones priced at $29.99 and $34.00.  For details, see our product matrix Cordless Phones.

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹¹

O.k., it's a telephone.  Please tell me how you'll do business without one?

Ease of Use - @@@@@

You've probably been using telephones since, well, since before you can even remember!

Works With - YYYYY

Hard to make an incompatible telephone!

Support - pp1/2

Coby cordless telephones carry a 90 day warranty.  There is no technical information on their web site (except for resellers).  If you need help you can email Coby or call them (no "800" number, you'll pay long distance charges where they apply), Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM Eastern time.

Features - ii1/2

Very basic cordless phones, very basic features - if any. 

Overall Rating - %%%

If you're looking for an inexpensive phone, a VERY small number of features and functions and don't care if you smash it to bits - the phones for you.

ConairPhone

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹¹

Goodness!  Who can't use the telephone?  All the ConairPhone telephones are simple to use - even the ones you can "program" to speed dial, set the time, or accept, erase or log Caller ID.

Cost - Incomplete

We were unable to find any retailer carrying the ConairPhone cordless phones (two models) although Consumer Guide showed a cost of between $15.00 and $45.00 for the CTP9400.  For details, see our product matrix Cordless Phones.

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹¹

O.k., it's a telephone.  Please tell me how you'll do business without one?

Ease of Use - @@@@@

You've probably been using telephones since, well, since before you can even remember!

Works With - YYYYY

Hard to make an incompatible telephone!

Support - pppp

ConairPhone cordless telephones carry a one year warranty.  The tech support area on the ConairPhone web site includes a FAQ and Quick Reference Guides.  If you need more help, you can email or call tech support on their "800" number Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM and Saturday from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM Eastern time.

Features - ii1/2

Very basic cordless phones.

Overall Rating - Incomplete

You'll have to look HARD to find these phones.  And with so many other options.....

GE

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹¹

Goodness!  Who can't use the telephone?  All the GE telephones are simple to use - even the ones you can "program" to speed dial, set the time, your answering machine or accept, erase or log Caller ID.

Cost - $$$1/2

GE makes seven DECT 6.0 phones priced from $49.98 to $150.99, five 5.8GHz phones at prices from $46.91 to $126.34, seven 2.4GHz phones at prices from $19.99 to $55.90 (one includes a clock radio) and four 900MHz phones priced from $12.95 to $46.67 (with AM/FM Radio).  Their phones are moderately priced based on feature/function.  For details, see our product matrix Cordless Phones.

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹¹

O.k., it's a telephone.  Please tell me how you'll do business without one?

Ease of Use - @@@@@

You've probably been using telephones since, well, since before you can even remember!

Works With - YYYYY

Hard to make an incompatible telephone!

Support - ppp

GE phones carry a one year warranty.  The tech support area on their web site has an interactive troubleshooter and a searchable resource library.  If you need more help an online form is your only option.

Features - iii1/2

GE makes a large number of cordless phones but none of them support more than one line.  They do supply a number of "consumer" features like a a phones with AM/FM radios and, digital answering machines and ringtones.  Better for your family than your business.

Overall Rating - %%%1/2

Solid consumer phones - but make sure they have the functionality you need for your business before you buy.

Motorola

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹¹

Goodness!  Who can't use the telephone?  All the Motorola telephones are simple to use - even the ones you can "program" to speed dial, set the time, your answering machine or accept, erase or log Caller ID.

Cost - $$$$

Motorola makes eleven 5.8GHz digital phones priced from $69.96 to $134.99, three 5.8GHz Analog phones at $29.99 (2 models) and $49.99, eight 2.4GHz Digital phones at prices from $37.49 to $89.99 and three 2.4GHz Analog phones at $39.99, $62.96 and $69.99. Their phones are competitively based on feature/function.  For details, see our product matrix Cordless Phones.

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹¹

O.k., it's a telephone.  Please tell me how you'll do business without one?

Ease of Use - @@@@@

You've probably been using telephones since, well, since before you can even remember!

Works With - YYYYY

Hard to make an incompatible telephone!

Support - pppp1/2

Motorola phones carry a one year warranty.  The tech support area of the web site includes product manuals and searchable FAQ.  If you need more help, you can email them or call tech support on their "800" number 24x7.

Features - iii1/2

Nice phones 5.8GHz digital and analog and 2.4GHz digital technologies, lots of nice extras like an intercom, speakerphone, selectable ring tones, Caller ID and multiple handset support - two models - MD7081 and MD7091 support two lines.  Motorola's SD4500 and SD7500 lines also integrate with your Motorola cell phone. 

Overall Rating - %%%%

Well built and priced phones for business owners who want multiple handsets and lots of features, or want integration with their Motorola cell phone.

Northwestern Bell

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹¹

Goodness!  Who can't use the telephone?  All the Northwestern Bell phones are simple to use - even the ones you can "program" to speed dial, set the time or accept, erase or log Caller ID.

Cost - $$$$

Northwestern Bell makes three 900MHz phones at prices from $29.00 to $49.99, eleven 2.4GHz phones from $24.95 to $99.99 and eight 5.8GHz phones at prices from $59.99 to $199.99 (online web retailer pricing).  Their phones are competitively priced for the functionality they provide.  For product details, see our product matrix Cordless Phones.

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹¹

O.k., it's a telephone.  Please tell me how you'll do business without one?

Ease of Use - @@@@@

You've probably been using telephones since, well, since before you can even remember!

Works With - YYYYY

Hard to make an incompatible telephone!

Support - pppp

Northwestern Bell provides a one year warranty on their cordless phones.  The technical support area of the web site includes a FAQ and product manuals.  If you need more help you can email tech support or call them on their "800" number Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4:30 PM Pacific.

Features - iii1/2

Northwestern Bell makes cordless phones well suited for the consumer - but not so well aimed at the business owner.  You'll find newer 5.8 GHZ phones (we couldn't find pricing for the only one that supported more than one phone line), multiple handsets, speakerphones, Caller ID support and more - just not enough choice in multi-line implementations.  Again, consumer oriented features are available like integrated alarms clocks and radios.

Overall Rating - %%%1/2+

Competitively priced, consumer-oriented cordless phones.  If you only need a single line these phones will provide good functionality at a fair price.

Panasonic

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹¹

Goodness!  Who can't use the telephone?  All the Panasonic telephones are simple to use - even the ones you can "program" to speed dial, set the time, or accept, erase or log Caller ID.

Cost - $$$$

Panasonic makes five DECT 6.0 phones priced from $69.95 to $129.95, seventeen 5.8GHz Digital phones priced from $39.95 to $499.95 (supporting 4 phone lines and up to 8 handsets), three 2.4GHz Bluetooth phone systems that integrate your cell phone(s) along with one or two standard phone lines at $99.95, $149.95 and $349.95 and nine 2.4GHz phones priced from $29.95 to $79.95. Their phones are competitively priced.  For details, see our product matrix Cordless Phones.

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹¹

O.k., it's a telephone.  Please tell me how you'll do business without one?

Ease of Use - @@@@@

You've probably been using telephones since, well, since before you can even remember!

Works With - YYYYY

Hard to make an incompatible telephone!

Support - pppp

Panasonic cordless telephones carry a one year warranty.  The web site contains operating instructions and FAQs.  If you need more help you can fill out and submit an online form or contact Panasonic technical personnel at their "800" number.

Features - iiii1/2

Panasonic's cordless phones deliver some of the best functionality and technology.  They are among the market leaders in delivering systems that are great for the home based office.  Several phones include multiple lines and support multiple handsets and they offer not only standard DECT 6.0, 5.8GHz and 2.4GHz phones but Bluetooth enabled phone systems that can integrate one or more cell phone as well.  Panasonic also offers lots of extras like talking Caller ID, color displays on handsets and USB ports for downloading screen savers and ringer melodies.

Overall Rating - %%%%1/2

Panasonic makes great cordless phones for the home based business owner.  Multiple lines, multiple handsets and lots of slick extras like selectable ring tones, 3, 4 and 6-Way conferencing, Bluetooth/cellular integration, intercoms and more make these phones the smart choice for home business owners.

Plantronics

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹¹

Goodness!  Who can't use the telephone?  Both of the Plantronics cordless phones are simple to use.  The headset receivers include LCD's that display Caller ID and Call Waiting information.

Cost - $$$1/2

Plantronics makes two cordless, headset telephone systems.  The two 2.4GHz system is $139.95, the Calisto Pro dual mode (PSTN and USB/VoIP) with Bluetooth headset is $279.95.  For details see our product matrix Cordless Phones.

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹¹

O.k., it's a telephone.  Please tell me how you'll do business without one?

Ease of Use - @@@@@

You've probably been using telephones since, well, since before you can even remember!

Works With - YYYYY

Hard to make an incompatible telephone!

Support - pppp

Plantronics phones carry a one year warranty.  Lots of data is available on the web site, downloads, manuals, a searchable knowledge base, a tool they call QuickWeb which gets you fast replacement of a broken device and live Internet chat.  You can also email them or call them on their "800" number if you need more help.

Features - iiii

There are a couple reasons to purchase a Plantronics phone - you want to use a headset rather than a handset, and Plantronics makes the best headsets around, or you want a dual mode phone (PSTN and/or VoIP using USB port) with a Bluetooth headset you can use for your cell phone as well.

Overall Rating - %%%%

The Calisto Pro is cool - the price is a bit up there....

Uniden

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹¹

Goodness!  Who can't use the telephone?  All the Uniden telephones are simple to use - even the ones you can "program" to speed dial, set the time, or accept, erase or log Caller ID.

Cost - $$$$

Uniden makes six 900MHz analog phones at prices from $14.99 to $69.96, seventeen 2.4GHz analog phones from $19.00 to $84.99, twenty-one 2.4GHz digital phones from $25.00 to $229.98, fourteen 5.8GHz analog phones priced from $24.99 to $129.99 and twenty-five 5.8GHz digital phones from $49.99 to $229.00 (online pricing). They also make four DECT 6.0 phones (1.9GHz) priced from $49.46 to $97.98 along with a dual mode 5.8GHz and Internet dual mode phone the WIN1200 at $99.00. Their phones are competitively priced.  For details see our product matrix Cordless Phones.

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹¹

O.k., it's a telephone.  Please tell me how you'll do business without one?

Ease of Use - @@@@@

You've probably been using telephones since, well, since before you can even remember!

Works With - YYYYY

Hard to make an incompatible telephone!

Support - pppp

Uniden cordless phones carry a one year warranty.  The tech support area of the Uniden web site includes a FAQ and downloads.  If you need more help, you can email tech support or call them on their "800" number Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM to 5 PM Central time.

Features - iiii1/2

Uniden offers a plethora of phone choices, but only three with multi-line capability.  Lots more options however - handset personalization, handset-to-handset call transfer, 4/5-way conferencing, distinctive ring tones, any key answer and lots more.  The ELBT595 and ELBT585 also include Bluetooth capabilities for wireless Bluetooth headsets and a USB connector to download software and synchronize your calendar from your PC to your cordless phone while the CLX 465 and 485 include color screens and a USB port as well as 10 handset capability.  The DMX778 and 776 2.4GHz digital phones include DirectLink Mode 2-way radio communication and handset-to-handset text messaging as well.  The WIN1200 is a dual mode phone that lets you use it on both "traditional" PSTN phone lines and the Internet (Voice over IP) as well.

Overall Rating - %%%%+

Uniden's phones will meet the needs of most home-based businesses.  Very rich in features, functions and capability.

VTech

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹¹

Goodness!  Who can't use the telephone?  All the VTech telephones are simple to use - even the ones you can "program" to speed dial, set the time, or accept, erase or log Caller ID.

Cost - $$$$

VTech makes five 2.4GHz analog phones priced from $7.97 to $39.95, eighteen 5.8GHz analog and digital phones priced from $19.95 to $149.95 and five DECT 6.0 phones priced from $49.95 to $119.95.  Their phones are competitively priced based on functionality.  For details, see our product matrix Cordless Phones.

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹¹

O.k., it's a telephone.  Please tell me how you'll do business without one?

Ease of Use - @@@@@

You've probably been using telephones since, well, since before you can even remember!

Works With - YYYYY

Hard to make an incompatible telephone!

Support - ppp

VTech cordless phones carry a one year warranty.   The technical support area on the VTech web site includes software downloads, manuals and a FAQ.  If you need more help, an online form is your only recourse.

Features - iiii

VTech has a "nice" variety of phone choices for the home based business.  They have the best selection of multi-line phones and their phones include lots of nice "extras", like conference calling, specialized ring tones, color displays, Bluetooth integration and vibration ringing.

Overall Rating - %%%1/2+

VTech has a nice set of products for the home based business that are feature rich and competitively priced.  We see the lack of "800" support as problematic.

Ready to think about a new cell phone as well?  Check out Wireless Phones.